Growing up, even a thimble full of these squiggly bits was a treat It still is. I found this in a desi store here. Now I get my stash from Mumbai on every visit. (Chikki was my other treat.)
I have no idea what the correct name is for these fennel candy; growing up, we called it PiPi. When I stomped into a store and asked for “PiPi,” the owner gave me a puzzled looked. After some explanation he produced a bag from behind the counter. π
Here our friend’s kids, raised on Lindt and M&Ms still clamor for these. They always want more, but I insist these are medicinal and to be enjoyed in small doses. Good no? Fennel seeds aid digestion and are chewed on after heavy meals.
Arun Shanbhag 
I love this stuff and will have to find an Indian store nearby. I love it , love it, love it!
I want to order colored fennel seeds online. Where do I get them?
Most indian groceries carry them. I see them here all the time. But not sure who does online shipping.
Arun
Hi Mona:
Mithi Saunf appears to be a consensus. π
yes, its the little things that trigger fond memories. But we all sacrifice for the things we do.
Hope you are doing well. and thank you for visiting.
Arun
We called it ‘Mithi Saunf’. There are many little things which are vailable in India, and remind me of my motherland, like these that I miss since I came here to Toronto. Looking at the pictures brought back many memories and a smile on my face! π
Cumin is certainly a valuable modification; cumin (jeera) is certainly a more potent digestive aid. When I have a tummy aches, I still munch on a hand full of jeera.
and what! 20 years in chennai and you did not see Kanchi? You gotta go! really! It was an important center of Hindu tradition.
π
π In Madras these are made of cumin and not fennel π nice variation, isn’t it?
Also, I’ve lived in Madras for 20 years and not see Kanchipuram… it is always on my “to-visit” list!!
Maya:
Like randayi? tsk, tsk.
not to fret, I would too – so my trick is to:
first take whatever I want in my hand, put the bottle away, go into a different room or upstairs and only then start to eat them.
by the time I am done and want more – I’d be doing something else.
its funny then you teaching the son sharing – can see you totally doing that!
(and sneaking a handfull of pipi when he’s not looking) π
thanks for sharing that.
π
Ohh, one of my favourites. Infact, my mom scolds me even now tht I eat it like Bhaji and randayi, I mean so much quantity. I really can’t stop myself. I now compete with my son n give him gyaan on sharing it :D..Agree, the one in India tastes the best.